This guest post is by Trenton Stefurak, a young man who plans to attend Florida Atlantic University. He is an advocate for the Spring 2025 Making a Difference Autism Scholarship via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4 and you can read more about my organization here.
Autistics on Autism the Next Chapter: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams was released on Amazon on 3/25/25 and looks at the lives over 75 Autistic adults. 100% of the proceeds from this book will go back to supporting our nonprofits many initiatives, like this scholarship program. Check out the book here.
I am a triplet, a theatre kid, and a performer. I’m also autistic, epileptic, and have ADHD. But don’t label me—I’m just Trenton.
Born at just two and a half pounds, I spent my first four months on oxygen. Since then, I’ve faced challenges but refused to be defined by them. While some labels such as Performer, Leader, Role Model resonate with me, my actions speak louder. Want to know who I am? Come see me in an FAU musical theatre production.
I remember the day I was diagnosed with autism. It was just a year and a half ago, when I was sixteen years old, a day that started out like any other but ended up changing the way I saw myself. When the doctor said the words, “autism spectrum disorder,” my initial reaction was pure disbelief. I thought, “No way, I’m not autistic.” It felt like I was hearing about someone else entirely, not me. I had always thought autism looked a certain way because of what I had seen in movies or on TV, and I didn’t fit that image.
But as I sat there and listened to my family’s reactions, hearing them say things like, “This makes so much sense now,” and “It explains so much”, I started to take it in. They weren’t upset or worried. If anything, they seemed relieved, like we had finally found an answer that tied together some of the things I had struggled with over the years. That made it easier for me to accept it, too. My family has been incredibly supportive from the start, reassuring me that an ASD diagnosis doesn’t change who I am, it just helps explain a part of me. In fact, I think it’s made them even more patient, understanding, and tuned in to what I need, which is something I’m really grateful for.
Since then, I’ve come to understand that autism doesn’t have one face or one story. It looks different for everyone, and that’s exactly why it’s called a spectrum. No two people experience it the same way. In my case, I’m lucky to have a strong sense of humor that helps me navigate some of the challenges that come along with it. Humor has become one of my best tools for connection, especially in situations that might otherwise feel overwhelming.
Being a performer has helped me, too. I’ve learned how to use my acting skills outside of the theater, almost like I’m “playing a part” when I need to adapt to different social settings. It’s not about being fake, it’s about using the skills I have to help other people feel comfortable, which in turn makes me feel more comfortable. Since acting is something I genuinely love, it doesn’t feel like a chore, it feels like a secret superpower. In a way, my diagnosis didn’t just explain parts of my life, it gave me a new sense of ownership over them.
As for my future, I’ll be attending Florida Atlantic University in Fall 2025 to earn my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theatre. I can’t wait to start this next chapter and work toward a career in performing. While Broadway would be incredible, my ultimate dream is to have my own variety show—something like The Cher Show or The Judy Garland Show. I love the idea of singing, dancing, and engaging with a live audience every night. I’ve been obsessed with variety shows since I was a kid, and it’s been my dream ever since. Maybe I’ll call it “I’m Just Trenton”.
My greatest love is the theatre, which makes my volunteer work all the more meaningful. I’ve dedicated over 1,000 hours performing in Broadway on Brevard productions at the historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, a 100-year-old theater in Cocoa, Florida. One day, the CEO and Artistic Director, Dr. Anastacia Hawkins-Smith, told me that my time and dedication were helping keep the theater alive. That moment stuck with me, knowing that my passion could also make a lasting impact on a place I care so deeply about.
On a more personal note, my family is in a tough financial situation right now. Being a triplet means three of us are heading to college at the same time, and my parents are doing their best to make it work. My dad is a high school math teacher, and my mom, who recently lost her longtime job, is starting a wedding planning business. Winning the KFM Making a Difference Scholarship would make a huge difference in helping me afford college, and I would be beyond grateful for the opportunity.
Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help us continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
Also, consider having Kerry, one of the only professionally accredited speakers on the spectrum in the country, speak at your next event by sending him an inquiry here. If you have a referral for someone who many want him to speak please reach out as well! Kerry speaks with schools, businesses, government agencies, colleges, nonprofit organizations, parent groups and other special events on topics ranging from employment, how to succeed in college with a learning disability, internal communication, living with autism, bullying prevention, social media best practices, innovation, presentation best practices and much more!
